The Business Development Bank of Canada wants to give you money--one of you, at least. The BDC has just opened applications for its
2013 Young Entrepreneur Award.
Canadian entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35 are eligible to enter. Eleven finalists will be selected, one from each province plus one from the territories, by a panel of judges in each jurisdiction. Those finalists will move on to compete for the grand prize of $100,000, and a second prize of $25,000 in consulting services, with the winners chosen by the public, who will vote on BDC's website.
The BDC Young Entrepreneur Awards are meant specifically for businesses at a critical juncture; judges are looking for "turning point projects that will propel small- and medium-sized businesses to new growth," BDC explains
in a video guide to the awards.
To apply, you must create a short original video (just one to two minutes, no fancy camera work expected) explaining your turning point, and your approach to tackling it effectively. There's no specific constraint on what counts: it could be a new marketing strategy, an equipment purchase, or some advice that will help set up export operations. The key is that it's something that you haven't been able to do yet, but that the judges are convinced could mark a fundamental moment of growth for your company.
All applications must be received by noon on April 2.
Writer: Hamutal Dotan
Source: Business Development Bank of Canada